Floating aquatic plant treatment system

ABSTRACT

A floating aquatic plant water treatment system (31) utilizes a serpentine channel (36) defined by dividing walls (34). Floating plants (72) are distributed across the water surface by a floating grid structure (32). The grid structure (32) is preassembled into Z-fold bundles (88) which are towed onto the water and unfolded. The treatment system uses sprayers (62) to control growth conditions. Porous baffles (46) are placed along portions of the channel (36) to provide intimate contact with a larger portion of the water while allowing free flow.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/786,245,filed Oct. 31, 1991, now abandoned, which is a division of applicationSer. No. 07/323,022, filed Mar. 17, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,577.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a biomass producing system and inparticular to a wastewater treatment system using floating aquaticplants for removing pollutants as the water passes through the treatmentsystem. Floating aquatic plants have been used in the treatment ofwastewater and/or for improved water quality. For example, plants of theduckweed and liverwort families, water hyacinths, water chestnuts, waterlettuce, heartleaf, hydrillas, and azollas have proven effective forwater treatment. The duckweed family of plants provides for a biomassproducing system wherein unwanted nutrients are harvested from aquaticsystems by means of bioaccumulation to treat wastewater and/or improvewater quality, and the plants are harvested as a cash crop. Duckweed isparticularly suited to this purpose as it is native to most of the worldincluding the United States and has the capability of rapidly taking upnutrients from an aquatic environment to provide a food source with ahigh nutritional and protein content. The natural development of theseplants has produced strains which can grow throughout the year given anopen water condition. In addition, these plants have developed a pestresistance which is missing in most other cash crops. Natural resistanceto pests provides for a nearly pesticide-free and herbicide-freeoperation.

The use of small ponds to reduce the fetch, or linear measure of areathat the wind acts on to create waves, such that the wave action isminimized, has not proven to be an effective or cost effective means ofutilizing the duckweed in wastewater treatment. It has become necessaryto provide containment systems for controlling the coverage of theduckweed plants. The use of a containment system also limits the fetchand reduces wave action. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,536,988 to Hogen, dated Aug. 27, 1985 and assigned to the LemnaCorporation. The Hogen patent discloses a containment system forfloating aquatic plants. The Hogen system has inherent problems indeployment, in properly containing the Lemna plants, and in withstandinga range of environmental conditions. The Hogen patent also is somewhatdifficult to maintain and repair and is not well adapted for differingsizes and shapes of water areas.

An efficient channeling system for containing such a containment systemhas not been developed. A floating grid system which is easily deployedand easy to maintain is not yet available. Controlling the watertemperature and removing dust particles and other harmful debris fromthe plants has also been proven to be a problem as well as bringing thewaste water into contact the floating aquatic plants or treatmentorganisms and flora.

The present invention solves these and other problems related to usingfloating aquatic plants and with treatment of wastewater and enablingharvesting as a cash crop, economically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for treatment of wastewaterand improved water quality by use of floating aquatic plants.

According to the present invention, a dividing wall, preferably a berm,is used to channel the wastewater along a winding path whereinpollutants are removed. Berms are constructed so that the materialremoved from the channel and placed on the berms is of approximatelyequal volume. In this manner, little material is required to be hauledin or away from the wastewater treatment area. The channel isconstructed having parallel straight portions connected by U-turns. Thechannel is constructed such that the flow is between turbulent andlaminar flow regimes. The channel is also constructed so that thestraight portions are perpendicular to the direction of the prevailingwind, thereby reducing the wind fetch, and maximizing the use of bermsas a wind break. The U-turns may have a curvilinear guide to aid indirecting the flow of water around the turn and onto the next straightportion to decrease wearing at the turn. In a preferred embodiment, theberms will have trees or shrubs planted thereon as a windbreak.

The wastewater treatment channel is preferably constructed in modules sothat a portion of the channel may be constructed and used before theremainder of the channel. In this manner where time is important on aconstruction schedule, a wastewater treatment system can be implementedmuch faster. Furthermore the winding configuration provides for use ofcontrol structures along the channel so that the water may enter or exitthe system along an intermediate portion of the channel should theentire channel length not be required.

Preferably the channel includes an access so that a harvester or bargemay be launched onto the water and retrieved. The winding channelconfiguration is especially advantageous when combined with a gridcontainment system for containing duckweed plants used in wastewatertreatment. The channel may also include baffles extending across thechannel to further advantage, as explained hereinafter.

The channel structure is especially effective when combined with a gridsystem for containing floating aquatic plants used in treatingwastewater. The floating containment grid structure is constructed ofindividual grid sections which are reversible and float on the surfaceof the water. The grid sections include flotation chambers so that thegrid sections are buoyant and extend above the water to a heightsufficient to contain the floating aquatic plants. The grid segments mayhave any length, but are preferably of the same length for a given bodyof water for interchanging, so that the segments may be easily replaced.The reversibility allows the segments to be flipped upside down shouldthe exposed portion of a flotation chamber be damaged.

The individual grid sections are connected at the end portions which arebent slightly from the longitudinal direction of the grid section sothat they may be connected to the adjacent grid section having an endportion bent toward the first grid section. A hollow connecting tube isinserted into holes in meshing fingers of the end portions so that ahinged connection is made when the hollow tube is inserted. The slightlybent end portions allow the grid sections to be folded against oneanother in a parallel arrangement. The floating chambers are preferablystaggered so that they do not impinge on floating chambers of theadjacent grid sections. With this construction, a multiplicity of gridsections may be connected to form a Z-fold bundle for transporting to adeployment site.

The unique structure in the Z-fold connections allows for easydeployment of the grid sections to form a containment grid. The gridsections are preferably connected to form a Z-fold bundle which, whenunfolded and deployed, extends the width of the body of water. When theZ-fold bundles have been transported to the shore of the body of water,the Z-fold bundles are connected at the hinges to adjacent Z-foldbundles by inserting a U-bolt through the hollow connecting tubes at thehinged portions of the Z-fold bundles. The connected Z-fold bundles arethen towed across the body of water with additional Z-fold bundles beingadded as required until the Z-fold bundles extend the length of the bodyof water. The Z-fold bundles are unfolded down the length of a channeland anchored to the shore. Additional Z-fold bundles are added andunfolded until the channel portion is covered by the grid structure andready for containment of floating aquatic plants.

The grid structure remains buoyant so that the floating aquatic plantsare contained, but has the flexibility so that if a harvester is floatedacross the water surface, the grid may be depressed under the water'ssurface so that the aquatic plants may be harvested.

It is advantageous to use a sprayer system in conjunction with floatingaquatic plants for increased productivity. Spraying water onto theplants helps control temperatures for optimum performance. In hotclimates, cooler water from the bottom of the channel may be sprayed onthe top portion to keep temperatures down. In very cold temperatures,water may be sprayed on the surface to prevent ice from forming and toprovide heat to the floating aquatic plants. A further advantage inspraying over the floating plants is the cleaning of dust and debrisfrom the plant surfaces. Nutrients may be added to the spray water andsprayed over the plants. This significantly reduces the amount ofnutrients needed because the entire water column does not have to beinjected with these nutrients.

According to the present invention, sprayers may be mounted in a numberof configurations to insure complete coverage of the water's surface.Sprayers may be mounted on the berms so that the spray direction is outover the water. The sprayers are preferably mounted so that the spraypattern covers a substantial portion of the water's surface. In a secondembodiment, sprayers may be mounted onto the floating containment grid.Spray nozzles are clipped onto the grid section connections withmounting brackets and may be placed so that a rotation of 360° ispossible for complete coverage of the water.

Sprayers are also mounted on a watercraft so that the surface area issprayed as the watercraft proceeds down the channel. The watercrafttravels up and down the channel and covers the surface area with a spraypattern. When the sprayers are mounted on the watercraft, the water maybe drawn directly from the water body. Care should be taken at theintake to insure that floating aquatic plants or other debris are notdrawn into the sprayer, causing possible clogging in the sprayer system.To prevent pluggage and to aid harvesting, the harvester is equippedwith fins to direct the floating aquatic plants away from an intake. Theintake is fitted with a cover screen which prevents the plants fromentering the sprayer system.

The present invention provides an economical and environmentallyharmless system for treating wastewater with floating aquatic plants andproviding a cash crop. The invention allows floating aquatic plants beused on a large scale commercial basis to reduce nutrient loading, tracemetals, suspended solids, etc., and to treat wastewater effluents andfor a variety of other water quality problems.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtainedby its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, inwhich there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals and letters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an embodiment of a floating aquatic plantwastewater treatment system wherein an aquatic plant containment grid isdeployed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the wastewater treatment system shown in FIG. 1wherein trees are planted around the system;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of a channel in the treatment system shown inFIG. 1 showing sections of two straight portions of the channel and aseparating berm;

FIG. 4 shows a portion of the grid system shown in FIG. 1 in a deployedposition with floating aquatic plants covering a portion of the surface;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a grid segment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a flotation chamber of the gridsegment taken along line 6--6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an end portion of the grid segmenttaken along line 7--7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a detail of Lemna plants;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the grid segments shown in FIG. 5 connected toadjacent grid segments in a "Z-fold" fashion to form a "Z-fold";

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a detail of meshing finger portions ofconnected grid segments shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a detail of the meshing finger portions of fourgrid segments in a hinged connection to the adjacent hinged connectionby a U-bolt;

FIG. 12 is a view of the U-bolt used in connecting the Z-fold bundles asshown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the Z-fold bundles connected to adjacent Z-foldbundles in a closely folded position;

FIG. 14 shows a method of deploying the grid system shown in FIG. 1,wherein the Z-fold bundles are towed across the water surface;

FIG. 15 shows the grid system being deployed wherein a portion of thegrid structure is deployed;

FIG. 16 shows the water area of FIG. 14 with the grid systemsubstantially deployed;

FIG. 17 shows a spray pattern wherein sprayers are mounted on the gridstructure;

FIG. 18 shows a sprayer pattern wherein sprayers are mounted on berms;

FIG. 19 shows a spray pattern wherein a sprayer is mounted on a barge orharvester and sprays in a 360° pattern;

FIG. 20 shows a spray pattern wherein a sprayer is mounted on a barge orharvester and sprays a pattern in an arc of 180°;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional end view of a preferred embodiment of abaffle;

FIG. 22 is an end view of an alternate embodiment of a baffle;

FIG. 23 is a view of the baffle shown in FIG. 21, wherein the baffle isbundled before deployment;

FIG. 24 shows the baffle of FIG. 21 deployed in a depth wherein thebottom edge is substantially fully extended;

FIG. 25 shows a baffle of FIG. 21 in low water conditions wherein thebaffle uses ballast mounted at a middle distance for extending to thebottom;

FIG. 26 shows a detail of the fibrous baffle material;

FIG. 27 shows a sprayer mounting bracket for clipping to the gridsystem;

FIG. 28 shows a front view of barge or harvester vehicle; and

FIG. 29 shows a side view of the vehicle of FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Containment Impoundment

A preferred embodiment of a containment system used in wastewatertreatment systems in conjunction with floating aquatic plants is showngenerally at 31 in FIG. 1. A winding channel 36 is formed by dividingwalls 34 constructed out of earth or other suitable materials, fordirecting water along a winding flow path. Water enters at an inlet 38,flows through the serpentine channel 36 and is treated before leaving atexit 40. The channel 36 winds back and forth along a substantiallyrectangular area so that the distance travelled by the water in a smallarea is increased. The channel 36 is constructed so that the water flowsvery slowly, thereby increasing treatment time. The flow is in thetransition between the laminar and turbulent regimes. This induces goodmixing in the water column for maximum contact of the pollutants withthe floating aquatic plants. The presence of a dense mat of floatingaquatic plants and a floating grid creates a quiescent water surface sothat no riprapping is required, decreasing construction costs.

The turns have curvilinear outside shapes to prevent stagnation zones inthe channels 36. Midstream curvilinear guides 44 may also be included toaid in flow direction of the water and eliminating water stagnationzones.

The system preferably includes a grid structure 32 floating on thewater's surface for containing floating aquatic plants. The floatingplants in the grid structure 32 create an environment that eliminatesharmful waste from the water as explained hereinafter. The systemfurther includes porous baffles 46 extending transversely of thewastewater flow for controlling water flow and providing sites for florasuch as bacteria to aid in water treatment. If such a system is used,the channel 36 is preferably constructed so that launch ramps 55 areprovided for placing a harvester or watering craft onto the channel 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, the channel 36 is constructed so that the watersurface remains as calm as possible so the floating plants are evenlydistributed. To achieve this condition, the straight portions of thechannel 36 are constructed in a direction perpendicular to theprevailing direction of the wind as shown by arrow A. Furthermore, inthe case where the dividing walls 34 are earthen berms, trees 56 andshrubbery 58 may be planted along the periphery of the treatment systemand along the downwind side of berms 34 to decrease the wind velocity.In the preferred embodiment, the berms 34 have sprayers 62 and the trees56 near the water's edge so that vehicles may be driven along the top ofthe berms 34.

Other economies can be achieved by construction methods wherein thematerial removed from the channel 36 is equal to the material added tothe berms 34 and biomass harvest areas 54 near the turns. As shown inFIG. 3, the normal level of the ground before construction, as indicatedby the dashed line, is such that the material added above the line tothe berms 34 and the biomass harvest areas 54 surrounding the channel isequal to that removed below the dashed line from the channel 36. A majorproblem in creating most water treatment impoundments is the need forremoval of material from the site or the addition of material forspecial berm construction. With the serpentine channel 36 and thefloating grid system 32 of the present invention, special riprappingmaterials are not required and do not need to be hauled to the site. Thelower grade construction materials used results in greater economiesthan has been possible with prior water treatment impoundments.

In the preferred embodiment, the channel is constructed so that thewater flow is characterized by a Reynolds number between 2,000 and5,000, and therefore in the transition between laminar and turbulentflow. The Reynolds number, R, is defined by the formula: R=Vh/v where`h` is the height of the water column, `V` is the velocity of the waterflow, and `v` is the viscosity.

As can be further shown in FIG. 3, the berms 34 may include a sprayersystem including the sprayer 62 mounted on the berms 34. In this manner,the conditions can be controlled for better growth of the floatingaquatic plants for removal of pollutants from the water. The specialpattern of the serpentine channels 36 with parallel straight sectionsprovides for complete spraying coverage of the water's surface byplacing the sprayers 62 on the berms 34. The straight sections alsoprovide for substantially complete coverage of the water's surface withthe containment grids 32 as shown in FIG. 1 without special shapes beingrequired to cover the water's surface. The straight sections provide foreasier deployment of the containment grid 32. In the preferredembodiment, the straight portions of the channel 36 are constructed suchthat the length to width ratio is no greater than 10:1 and no less than3:1.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the present invention further providesconstruction economies by providing for modular construction and/oroperation. Hydraulic control structures 50 and 52, such as valves orgates, provide for construction of a first portion of the treatmentsystem and operation of that first portion independently of theremaining portion. The control structures 50 and 52 may be a pipe orpassage including control valves or gates under the berms 34. During asecond phase of construction an additional portion is constructed up tothe control structure 52. This allows use of the further portion of thechannel 36. And finally, a third portion of the channel 36 may beconstructed and fully utilized. The use of control structures 50 and 52in conjunction with alternative inlets 51 and alternative outlets 53allows any portion of the system to be used independently of the otherportions. In the system shown in FIG. 1, there are two alternativeinlets 51 and two alternative outlets 53 for 3 modules. The alternativeinlets 51 and outlets 53 can also be a pipe or passage under the berm 34with control valves or gates similar to control structures 50 and 52.Several modules provide for greater flexibility in the conditions usedfor water treatment. This also allows the remaining modules to berepaired or closed off without significantly affecting the entiresystem. The modular construction and operation is not possible withother water treatment systems. Each modular portion preferably includeslaunch ramps 55 for putting a watercraft on the water in each portion.

The biomass harvest areas 54 located at the ends of the straightchannels near the turns, provide areas for storing harvested aquaticplants from the treatment system. The harvested plants may be placed inthe biomass harvest areas 54 and dried before removal for other uses.The biomass can also be spread thin on the harvest areas 54 as a soilamendment, therefore eliminating the need to transport if off-site.

Floating Grid Structure

In systems using floating aquatic plants in wastewater treatment, thefloating plants should be maintained so that a substantial portion ofthe water's surface is covered and to maximize the surface contactbetween the plants and the water for better growth and reproduction.Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the plants can be harvestedfrom time to time so that the correct coverage of plants is maintainedfor efficient wastewater treatment. If the plants are left free tofloat, wind blows the plants to one edge of the water's surface and thecoverage is not evenly distributed for improved treatment conditions.Therefore the grid system 32 is implemented to contain the floatingplants and provide a substantially even distribution upon the water'ssurface. As shown in FIG. 1, the grid system 32 covers a large portionof the channel 36 along the straight portions and may be deployed tocover the turns, or a portion thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, a typicalplant may be the Lemna plant 72, commonly referred to as duckweed, whichfloats on the surface of the water and is readily adaptable to a varietyof conditions. The Lemna plant 72 is also efficient in treatingpollutants in the water and has characteristics that make it feasiblefor harvesting as a cash crop.

As shown in FIG. 4, individual grid segments 70 which make up the gridstructure 32 are connected to preferably form a substantially squarecontainment zone 68. The containment zone 68 eliminates wave action toprovide for even distribution of the Lemna plants 72.

In the preferred embodiment, the portion of the grid structure 32 whichwill be above the water surface will be such that it exceeds the maximumachievable wave height which is described by the formula:

    Max Wave Height=0.105 X(Maximum Fetch).sup.1/2

Fetch is the linear measure of space that the wind may blow over tocreate waves.

The grid segments 70 as shown in FIG. 5 include flotation chambers 76which provide buoyancy such that the grid structure 32 floats in thewater at a depth such that the plants are contained by the grid segments70 under maximum fetch. In a preferred embodiment, the flotationchambers 76 are distributed symmetrically along a longitudinal axis ofthe grid segment 70. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of theflotation chambers 76 has a substantially V-shaped cross-section belowthe waterline for increased stability as shown in FIG. 6, however, itcan be appreciated that any number of shapes may be used wherein thegrid segments 70 may be folded. The grid segment 70 includes meshing endfinger portions 78 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. The finger portions 78interlock with adjacent finger portions 78 of another grid segment 70.For connection, a hollow connecting tube 80 is placed through themeshing finger portions 78 of the adjacent grid segments 70 so that thesegments 70 are connected as shown in FIG. 9. Three grid segments 70 areconnected in this fashion as shown in FIG. 9 to form a Z-fold 84.

A number of grid segments 70 may be connected to form a Z-fold bundle 88as shown in FIG. 13. The length of the grid segments 70 as compared tothe width is very great, for example in a Z-fold bundle 88, an averagewidth of a folded segment 70 is 4 cm, while a typical length may be 3meters. The Z-fold bundles 88 are then connected at the hinge throughtube 80 to adjacent Z-fold bundles 88 by means of a U-bolt 82 as shownin FIG. 12. The U-bolt is inserted into the hollow connecting tubes 80as shown in FIG. 11 to form connections at the hinges between theadjacent Z-fold bundles 88. In this manner adjacent Z-fold bundles 88are connected as shown in FIG. 13. The flotation chambers 76 are spacedsuch that when adjacent grid segments 70 are connected and folded backupon one another, the flotation chambers 76 do not contact the flotationchambers 76 on the adjacent grid segment 70, as shown in FIG. 9. In thismanner, the Z-fold bundles 88 are stored and transported in a muchsmaller space. For convenience and safety, the Z-fold bundles 88 arestrapped together in a tight bundle during storage and shipping.

When the Z-fold bundles 88 have been connected with the U-bolts 82 asshown in FIG. 13, the connections allow the Z-fold bundles 88 to bestretched out toward shore as shown by the arrows, to form containmentzones 68 as shown in FIG. 4. The grid segments 70 are reversible so thatreplacement of damaged segments 70 is easily accomplished byinterchanging another identical grid segment 70. It can also beappreciated that should an exposed portion of the grid segment 70 becomedamaged, it is possible for the grid segment 70 to be flipped over,thereby avoiding replacement.

The unique connections and assembly of the grid structure 32 allows easydeployment as shown in FIGS. 14-16. As shown in FIG. 14, the Z-foldbundles 88 are taken directly off a truck or trailer 92 parked on shore.The Z-fold bundles 88 are preferably preassembled and are then attachedto the adjacent Z-fold bundles 88 and connected to a cable 90. As theZ-fold bundles 88 are towed across the length of the body of water, asshown in FIG. 15, the Z-fold bundles 88 are gradually unstrapped andstretched out across the width of the body of water to a deployedposition. When fully stretched out, the ends of the grid 32 are attachedto the shore at previously installed anchors 60. The process iscontinued down the length of the body of water until the grid 32 isfully deployed as shown in FIG. 16.

It can be appreciated that this method of deployment provides an easymethod of assembling the grid structure 32 and provides for substantialpreassembly of the Z-fold bundles 88. The unique structure of the Z-foldbundles 88 allows them to be folded so that a small space is occupiedand the bundles 88 may be transported at a lower cost. The methodprovides for deploying the segments 70 over the entire length of thewater, while avoiding difficult on-water construction.

Sprayer System

In conjunction with a floating aquatic plant wastewater treatmentsystem, sprayers are used for improved control of growth conditions. Aspray system helps to control temperatures and keeps the plants clean ofdust and debris. Fertilizers may be injected into the sprayed water sothat the floating aquatic plants have sufficient nutrients for growth.An advantage in spraying is achieved as nutrients are applied only atthe water's surface where they are needed, instead of diluting with theflow of the water.

According to the present invention, the sprayers are mounted in avariety of configurations so that the water surface is covered with thespray pattern. In a first embodiment, sprayers 62 are mounted on theberms 34 as shown in FIG. 3. A standard sprayer 62 provides a spraypattern such as that shown in FIG. 18. The configuration of the berms 34provides access to the majority of the surface area of water channel 36so that additional sprayers are not required.

In a second embodiment, the sprayers 62 are mounted on brackets 124,shown in FIG. 27, and mounted directly to the grid system 32 to form aspray pattern as shown in FIG. 17. The brackets 124 are clipped directlyto the floating grid 32 at the U-bolt connection 82 and may be fed by apump on shore.

In another method of spraying, the sprayers 62 may be mounted on awatercraft 126, such as a barge or harvester, as shown in FIGS. 28 and29. The sprayer 62 may have a 360° spray pattern as shown in FIG. 19,the spray pattern may spray over an angle of 180° as shown in FIG. 20.In this manner, the entire surface is sprayed as the watercraft 126moves along the channel 36. The watercraft 126 may intake water throughan inlet 128, as shown in FIG. 29, as long as there is a properscreening 130 to prevent intake of unwanted debris. As shown in FIG. 28,the watercraft 126 includes fins 132 to direct the Lemna plants 72 awayfrom the inlet 128.

Other spray patterns are possible wherein a combination of berm mounted,grid mounted, and watercraft mounted sprayers are combined. For example,sprayers may be used to clean the plant's surface and controltemperatures with a grid mounted sprayer system and nutrients may beintermittently added when required through a watercraft mounted system.

Porous Baffle

As shown in FIG. 3, a porous baffle 46 is deployed which extendssubstantially across the width of the channel 36 and is attached by acable 66 to anchors 60 on the berms 34. The porous baffle 46 includes atop float 102 extending substantially along the top edge of the baffle46. Sheets of porous material 104 are supported by the top float 102 andextend substantially to the bottom of the channel 36. As shown in FIG.21, the porous baffle 46 preferably includes a weighted chain 110 at thebottom of the baffle 46 for insuring that the porous baffle sheets 104extend fully to the bottom of the channel 36. The porous baffle 46preferably uses a number of sheets of porous material 104 so thatflowing water is more evenly distributed across the entire channel toforce an intimate contact with the entire surface of the baffle fibers122 as shown in FIG. 26. Two or more sheets of baffle material 104 canbe connected at an intermediate portion by rivets 106 as shown in FIG.21.

As shown in FIG. 26, the material 104 is a loosely packed fibrousmaterial. The fibers 122 provide a large surface area so that flora andother organisms may attach to the fibers 122 and have a greater chanceof contacting the pollutants in the water. In a preferred embodiment theporous material 104 provides a surface area at least seven times thesurface area of the square section of the material 104.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 22, a top float 112 similarto a grid segment 70 is used instead of the float 102 shown in FIG. 21.The alternate embodiment further includes bolts 114 and reinforcingplates 116 for connecting adjacent portions of the porous baffle sheets104.

Baffle sections 46 are tied in bundles as shown in FIG. 23. Whendeployed, the baffles 46 are untied and the bottom ballast 110 drops thebaffle 46 to the bottom of the channel 36.

As shown in FIG. 24, when fully deployed, the baffle 46 further includesa ballast 120 at an intermediate position between the top float 102 andthe bottom chain 110. The middle ballast 120 serves to keep the porousbaffle vertical at low water levels, as shown in FIG. 25.

The porous baffles 46 are installed in conditions that are predominantlyanaerobic, induced by the mat of floating aquatic plants 72 and the grid32. This prevents thick aerobic slimes from building up on the porousbaffles 46 and maintains the open structure to allow intimate contact ofthe wastewater with the thin anaerobic microbial slime on the fibers122. In most ponds, the majority of the organisms which treat the waterare at the bottom of the pond so that very little of the water comesinto contact with the microorganisms. With the porous baffle 46, thewater flows through the sheets of baffle material 104 and greatlyimproves the opportunity for contact with the microorganisms, yetprevents clogging resulting from heavy slime buildup. As shown in FIG.26, the baffle fibers 122 allow free flow through the porous baffle 46and provide a large surface area for the microorganisms to colonize.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wastewater treatment system using floatingaquatic plants, comprising:a wastewater inlet; a plurality of dividingwalls forming a winding channel receiving wastewater from the wastewaterinlet, the channel generally defining a flowpath for the wastewater andhaving a length along the flowpath and a width generally transverse tothe flowpath, the length being greater than the width; an outlet forremoving water from the channel; a floating grid system substantiallycovering the water surface forming a series of plant containment zones;and floating aquatic plants deployed on the surface of the water in thecontainment zones.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein sprayers aremounted on the dividing walls for blanketing the channel with a spraypattern.
 3. The system of claim 1, further including a watercraft accessto the channel.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a porousbaffle substantially across the width of the channel.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the channel is built in sections, each section havingits own inlet and outlet, such that each section may be built and usedseparately from the other sections.
 6. The system of claim 1, furtherincluding control structures for separating sections of the channel sothat the sections of the channel may be used independently of the othersections.
 7. The system of claim 1 and further comprising:sprayershaving spray patterns that substantially cover the water surface;sprayer mounting means; sprayer direction changing means; and fluiddelivery means.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sprayers aremounted on the dividing walls.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein thesprayers are mounted on the grid.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein thesprayer is mounted on a watercraft.
 11. The system of claim 10, andfurther comprising:water delivery means for inletting water from a pondto the sprayer; screening means at a water inlet to the water deliverymeans; and fins mounted on the watercraft, directing floating aquaticplants away from the water inlet.
 12. The system of claim 1 and furthercomprising a baffle which includes:flotation means along a top edgeportion of the baffle to maintain the top portion of the baffle alongthe water's surface; porous baffle material extending substantiallyacross the channel; and ballast means for maintaining a bottom edgeportion of the baffle extending substantially to the bottom of thechannel.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the ballast means compriseweighted means extending along the lower edge of the baffle.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the ballast means further comprises weightsattached to the porous baffle material intermediate of the lower edgeand the top edge.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the porous bafflematerial comprises a porous material having a porosity such that thesurface area of the porous baffle material is at least seven times thesurface area of a square section of the material.
 16. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the baffle material is portless and allows water topass evenly through the entire cross section.
 17. The system of claim 1and further comprising:a porous baffle providing even flow across theentire surface of the baffle, the baffle defining sites for flora andsites for chemical precipitation; surface plant cover means forabsorbing chemical wastes and providing anaerobic conditions in thewater; and harvesting means for removing a portion of the surface plantcover means and for agitating the baffle so as to prevent plugging. 18.The system of claim 1 wherein the grid includes a reversible floatinggrid segment comprising:connecting portions, extending from the ends ofgrid segment, the connecting portions extending at an angle from thelongitudinal axis of the barrier portion, the connecting portionsincluding finger portions having apertures therethrough such that thefinger portions mesh with the finger portions of an adjacent gridsegment such the apertures are aligned with one another, wherein thegrid segments may be connected by inserting connecting means into theapertures of adjacent grid segments; and flotation chambers spaced alongthe grid segment wherein the chambers are spaced so that the flotationchambers do not contact flotation chambers of an adjacent connected gridsegment when folded.
 19. The system of claim 1 wherein the gridcomprises:reversible floating barriers having meshing end portions; themeshing end portions connected by a hollow connecting tube inserted intoaligned aperture of the meshing end portions of adjacent barriers, toform a Z-fold bundle, the Z-fold bundles connected to adjacent Z-foldbundles by U-bolts inserted into the connecting tubes, so that thebarriers form a substantially square containment zone.
 20. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the grid comprises:floating barrier segments connectedin a floating grid structure, wherein the barrier segments connect to anadjacent barrier segment by inserting a hollow connecting tube throughthe barrier segment and portion having meshing fingers with aperturestherethrough, to form a Z-fold bundle, and wherein the Z-fold bundlesattach to adjacent Z-fold bundles by inserting U-bolts through thehollow connecting tubes, so that a grid structure is created byunfolding the connected Z-fold bundles.
 21. A wastewater treatmentsystem using floating aquatic plants, comprising:a wastewater inlet; achannel formed by dividing walls, the dividing walls defining a seriesof substantially straight channel portions connected by curvilinearportions; a floating grid system substantially covering the watersurface forming a series of plant containment zones; and floatingaquatic plants deployed on the surface of the water in the containmentzone.
 22. A wastewater treatment system using floating aquatic plants,comprising:a wastewater inlet; a winding channel formed by dividingwalls and receiving wastewater from the wastewater inlet, the channelchanneling the wastewater along a flowpath which winds generally from afirst end of the channel to a second end thereof; an outlet disposedgenerally at the second end of the channel; a floating grid systemsubstantially covering the water surface forming a series of plantcontainment zones; and floating aquatic plants deployed on the surfaceof the water in the containment zones.
 23. A wastewater treatment systemusing floating aquatic plants, comprising:a wastewater inlet; a channelreceiving wastewater from the inlet and defining a flowpath for thewastewater, the channel being formed on a portion of land having alength and a width, the channel winding about on the portion of land toincrease the length of the flowpath without increasing the size of theportion of land; a floating grid system substantially covering the watersurface forming a series of plant containment zones; and floatingaquatic plants deployed on the surface of the water in the containmentzones; and an outlet from the channel.
 24. The system of claim 23wherein the wastewater flows along the flowpath generally from the inletto the outlet and wherein the flowpath is longer than the length of theportion of land, and wherein the flowpath is longer than the width ofthe portion of land.
 25. A wastewater treatment system using floatingaquatic plants, comprising:a wastewater inlet; a channel formed bydividing walls, the channel receiving wastewater from the inlet at afirst end thereof and defining a nonlinear flowpath for the wastewatergenerally from the inlet to a second end of the channel; an outletdisposed generally at the second end of the channel; a floating gridsystem substantially covering the water surface forming a series ofplant containment zones; and floating aquatic plants deployed on thesurface of the water in the containment zones.
 26. A wastewatertreatment system using floating aquatic plants comprising:a wastewaterinlet; a channel receiving wastewater from the wastewater inlet, thechannel generally defining a flowpath for the wastewater and having alength along the flowpath and a width generally transverse to theflowpath, the length being greater than the width wherein the channelhas a plurality of dividing means to define channel portions; an outletfor removing water from the channel; a floating grid systemsubstantially covering the water surface forming a series of plantcontainment zones; and floating aquatic plants deployed on the surfaceof the water in the containment zones.
 27. A wastewater treatment systemusing floating aquatic plants, comprising:a wastewater inlet; pluralityof dividing means defining channel portions, each channel portion havinga first end and a second end and receiving wastewater at the first end,the wastewater flowing through the channel portions to the second endsof the channel portions; a floating grid system substantially coveringthe water surface forming a series of plant containment zones in thechannel portions; and floating aquatic plants deployed on the surface ofthe water in the containment zones.
 28. The system of claim 27 whereinthe plurality of channel portions are substantially straight channelportions.
 29. The system of claim 28 wherein the substantially straightchannel portions are generally parallel to one another.
 30. A wastewatertreatment system using floating aquatic plants, comprising:a wastewaterinlet; a channel receiving wastewater from the wastewater inlet, thechannel channeling the wastewater along a flowpath which extendsgenerally from a first end of the channel to a second end thereofwherein the channel has a plurality of dividing means to define channelportions; an outlet disposed generally at the second end of the channel;a floating grid system substantially covering the water surface forminga series of plant containment zones; and floating aquatic plantsdeployed on the surface of the water in the containment zones.
 31. Awastewater treatment system using floating aquatic plants, comprising:awastewater inlet; a channel receiving wastewater from the inlet anddefining a flowpath for the wastewater, the channel being formed on aportion of land having a length and a width wherein the channel has aplurality of dividing means to define channel portions; a floating gridsystem substantially covering the water surface forming a series ofplant containment zones; floating aquatic plants deployed on the surfaceof the water in the containment zones; and an outlet from the channel.32. A wastewater treatment system using floating aquatic plants,comprising:a wastewater inlet; a channel receiving wastewater from theinlet at a first end thereof and defining a nonlinear flowpath for thewastewater generally from the inlet to a second end of the channelwherein the channel has a plurality of dividing means to define channelportions; an outlet disposed generally at the second end of the channel;a floating grid system substantially covering the water surface forminga series of plant containment zones; and floating aquatic plantsdeployed on the surface of the water in the containment zones.
 33. Awastewater treatment system using floating aquatic plants, comprising:awastewater inlet; a plurality of dividing means defining generallyparallel channel sections receiving wastewater from the wastewater inletand the channel sections defining a flowpath for the wastewater, thechannel sections being formed on a portion of land having a length and awidth, the channel sections extending on the portion of land to increasetime that the wastewater is in the flowpath without increasing the sizeof the portion of land; a floating grid system substantially coveringthe water surface forming a series of plant containment zones; floatingaquatic plants deployed on the surface of the water in the containmentzones; and an outlet from the channel sections.